Jack at My Heels

Just last night, my heart was warmly touched by our dog, Jack. It was time for bed, so my mother, Jack and I, all began to head that way. I helped my mother into bed, and then went back to the kitchen to get a glass of water for her bedside table. Jack was at my heels. I returned to the kitchen to get some cough syrup for her, as she has had a terrible cold, but improving each day. Again, Jack was at my heels. I made three or four trips to the kitchen and back, with Jack at my heels every step of the way. Only when I said, “That’s all Jack. You can go to bed now,” did he jump up to settle at the end of my mother’s bed.

I went to my own room, sat on the side of my bed, and reflected on Jack’s faithful following me. I fully believe, if Jack could understand every word I spoke, and if I said to him, “Jack, I’m going to dig a hole and pull out 100 bones,” that he would respond with, “Can I help? I’ll start digging.” I was warmly touched at Jack’s faith in me, while at the same time, challenged in my own faith in My Heavenly Father — or lack thereof.

When God says, “Go this way,” why do I, or any of us, ever question the possibility of it? Why do we question the timing? Why do we question the method? Has our Father ever made a mistake? Of course, we all answer a resounding, “No!” So, the question comes again, when God tells us to do something, why do we ever question its feasibility?

Jack never doubts me. In his world I make no mistake. Where I walk, he walks, too. What I prepare for him, he eats. He trusts the water I put in his bowl. If I trudge up a steep path, he shows no fear to go up also. If I sit beneath a tree to rest and enjoy the beauty around me, Jack happily enjoys sniffing pursuits, never leaving my presence.

As I reflected upon all of this, I thought of what Ruth, in the Old Testament, said to her mother-in-law after both their husbands had died, “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live” (Ruth 1:16 NLT). I always want to have the attitude of both Ruth and Jack. I want to be at the Lord’s heels as he leads the way — and should the Lord say He is going to dig a hole and pull up a 100 bones; like Jack, I hope I don’t question. I hope I simply say, “Can I help? I’ll start digging.”